Echeveria ‘Arctic Ice’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Echeveria cultivar named ‘Arctic Ice’ is disclosed, rapid, robust growth and improved resistance to Fusarium echeveriae. Plants are distinctively compact and mounding with attractive uniform rosettes. Foliage has an opalescent quality. Echeveria is a popular genus, typically produced as container plants for the patio or as landscape plants. The new variety is also suitable for florist purposes.

Latin name of the genus and species: Echeveria hybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘ARCTIC ICE’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar, Echeveria ‘Arctic Ice’, is the product of a plannedbreeding program. The new variety originated from a cross pollination ofthe proprietary, unpatented, seed parent, Echeveria ‘E1 IV’ with thepollen parent an unpatented, proprietary variety of Echeveria referredto as ‘Lila's Surprise’. The cross pollination was made during February2012 in Vista, Calif., at a commercial greenhouse. The new cultivar‘Arctic Ice’ was selected by the inventor, Renee O' Connell, in March2013, in Vista, Calif. at a commercial greenhouse.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘Arctic Ice’ was firstperformed in Vista, Calif., at a commercial greenhouse, by terminalvegetative cuttings in September 2013. Echeveria ‘Arctic Ice’ has sinceproduced at least 8 generations and has shown that the unique featuresof this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘Arctic Ice’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘ARCTIC ICE’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘ARCTIC ICE’ as a new and distinct Echeveriacultivar:

-   1. Echeveria ‘Arctic Ice’ somewhat resembles Echeveria elegans, but    is much more resistant to Fusarium echeveriae than is Echeveria    elegans, and therefore can be used as a replacement for Echeveria    elegans where a stronger plant is needed.-   2. Echeverias are becoming very popular for use in decorative    arrangements, including wedding bouquets. Echeveria hybrid ‘Arctic    Ice’, displays an uncommon opalescent appearance to rosette,    providing a beautiful addition to the palette available for    succulent wedding bouquets.-   3. Echeveria ‘Arctic Ice’ produces a more rounded “snowball” rosette    than many other comparable white Echeverias.-   4. Echeveria ‘Arctic Ice’, due to its more rapid and robust growth,    provides enhanced production times in a commercial nursery, as    compared with most other white Echeverias.-   5. Echeveria ‘Arctic Ice’, with it robust growth, better resistance    to Fusarium echeveriae, and compact, opalescent white rosette, is an    excellent choice for use in a dish garden or as a potted plant on    the patio.

PARENTAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Arctic Ice’ are similar to plants of theseed parent in most horticultural characteristics. However, plants ofthe new cultivar ‘Arctic Ice’ differ in the following:

-   1. Echeveria ‘Arctic Frost’ produces concentric rosettes of    opalescent white, whereas Echeveria ‘E1 IV’ produces pale aqua    rosettes.-   2. Echeveria ‘Arctic Frost’ produces flowers that are slightly    larger than those of Echeveria ‘E1 IV’.-   3. Echeveria ‘Arctic Frost’ is faster growing than Echeveria ‘E1    IV’.-   4. Echeveria ‘E1 IV’ produces more offsets than Echeveria ‘Arctic    Frost’.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Arctic Ice’ are similar to the pollen parentin most horticultural characteristics. However, plants of the newcultivar ‘Arctic Ice’ differ in the following:

-   1. Echeveria ‘Arctic Frost’ produces rosettes of opalescent white,    whereas the rosettes of Echeveria ‘Lila's Surprise’ are a powdery,    matte white, with a tinge of blue.-   2. The flowers of Echeveria ‘Arctic Frost’ are more fully tubular,    whereas the flowers of Echeveria ‘Lila's Surprise’ tend to open more    at the apical tips of the corolla.-   3. The leaves of Echeveria ‘Arctic Frost’ are more obovate than    those of Echeveria ‘Lila's Surprise, which has spatulate leaves with    obtuse apices.-   4. Echeveria ‘Arctic Frost’ produces a more “snowball” rosette,    whereas the rosette of Echeveria ‘Lila's Surprise’ is more    flattened.-   5. The leaves of Echeveria ‘Arctic Frost’ are thicker and more    fleshy than those of Echeveria ‘Lila's Surprise’.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

The new cultivar ‘Arctic Ice’ can be compared to the unpatentedcommercial variety Echeveria ‘Perle van Nurnburg’. Plants of the newcultivar ‘Arctic Ice’ differ in the following:

-   1. Echeveria ‘Arctic Frost’ forms rounded rosettes of opalescent    white, whereas Echeveria ‘Perle von Nurnberg’ forms rosettes of    lavender.-   2. Echeveria ‘Arctic Frost’ is more resistant to Rhizoctonia solani    than is Echeveria ‘Perle von Nurnberg’.-   3. Echeveria ‘Arctic Frost produces chunky, fleshy leaves, whereas    Echeveria ‘Perle von Nurnberg’ produces thinner leaves, and for that    reason, Echeveria ‘Perle von Nurnberg’ shows effects of drought,    whereas the effects of drought are less discernible with Echeveria    ‘Arctic Frost’.-   4. Echeveria ‘Perle von Nurnberg’, begins to grow taller with time,    whereas Echeveria ‘Arctic Frost’ maintains a nearly acaulescent    morphology.

The new cultivar ‘Arctic Ice’ can be compared to the unpatented, unnamedEcheveria elegans. Plants of the new cultivar ‘Arctic Ice’ are similarto Echeveria elegans. in most horticultural characteristics. However,plants of the new cultivar ‘Arctic Ice’ differ in the following:

-   1. Echeveria ‘Arctic Ice’ forms rosettes of frosty white, whereas    Echeveria elegans forms rosettes of silver blue.-   2. Echeveria ‘Arctic Ice’ is much more resistant to disease    pressure, particularly Fusarium echeveriae than is Echeveria    elegans.-   3. Echeveria ‘Arctic Ice’ is faster growing and more robust growing    than Echeveria elegans.-   4. Echeveria elegans is more suited to climates where the summers    are mild, whereas Echeveria ‘Arctic Frost’ is able to grow    successfully where the summer temperatures are routinely 80 to 95    degree F.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate in fullcolor typical plants of ‘ARCTIC ICE’ grown in a greenhouse in Vista,Calif. The photographs were taken using conventional techniques andequipment. While the colors in these photographs may display variancesof color as compared to the living cultivar, due to LRV (lightreflectance value), they are as accurate as possible using conventionalphotographic techniques. Colors in the photographs may appear to differslightly from the color values cited in the botanical description, whichaccurately describe the colors of the new Echeveria plant. The followingphotographs depict plants grown under two different natural lightconditions. Temperatures ranged from approximately 2° C. to 38° C. nightand day. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemicaltreatments were given to the plants.

FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical of plant of Echeveria ‘ArcticIce’ grown in a greenhouse in Vista, Calif. under moderate lightconditions of approximately 2500 to 3500 foot candles. This figurehighlight the foliar rosette.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color typical of plant of Echeveria ‘ArcticIce’ with a flowering stem.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart, 2007, except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘Arctic Ice’ plants in a commercial greenhousein Vista, Calif. Temperatures ranged from 2° C. to 38° C. night and day.No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatmentswere given to the plants. Natural light conditions were approximately2500 to 2500 fc of light. Measurements and numerical values representaverages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Echeveria hybrida ‘ARCTIC ICE’.

PROPAGATION

-   Type of propagation typically used: Terminal vegetative cuttings,    from side shoots.-   Time to initiate roots: About 11 days at approximately 24° C.-   Root description: Fibrous.

PLANT

-   Age of plant described: Approximately 4 months from a cutting.-   Container size of the plant described: 4 inch.-   Growth habit: Densely and somewhat flattened rosulette plant.-   Height: Approximately 5 cm to top of highest leaf. Approximately 30    cm to top of highest inflorescence.-   Plant spread: Approximately 15.0 cm.-   Growth rate: Rapid.-   Branching characteristics: Not typically observed. Moderate side    rosette formation.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Rosulate.        -   Average length.—Average range 4.0 to 5.5 cm.        -   Average width.—2.0 cm.        -   Width at base.—Average 1.5 cm.        -   Thickness of leaf.—Thickest section, near center of leaf 1.0            cm.        -   Shape of blade.—Spatulate, upper section angular.        -   Apex.—Truncate, to tapered truncate with a single, sharp            mucronate tip, approximately 3 mm long.        -   Base.—Truncate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Attachment.—Sessile.        -   Texture of top surface.—Glabrous. Glaucous.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Glabrous. Glaucous.        -   Appearance of top surface.—Matte.        -   Appearance of bottom surface.—Matte.        -   Quantity of leaves per rosette.—Average range 80 to 100.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Greyed-Green 188A,            margin near White 155D. When glaucous covering rubbed off            main leaf blade color is Green 138A. Young foliage, under            side: Near RHS Greyed-Green 188A, margin near White 155D.            apical flush near Greyed-Purple N187B. When glaucous            covering rubbed off main leaf blade color is Green 138A.            Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Greyed-Green 188A,            margin near White 155D. When glaucous covering rubbed off            main leaf blade color is Green 138A. Mature foliage, under            side: Near RHS Greyed-Green 188A, margin near White 155D.            When glaucous covering rubbed off main leaf blade color is            Green 138A. Venation: There is no visual appearance of            venation.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Irregularly occurring Spring through    Summer.-   Inflorescence type and habit: Long, erect, simple cincinnus    typically with 10 to 15 flowers. 3 to 5 inflorescence per plant,    depending on maturity and environmental conditions. Individual    flowers semi-fleshy, campanulate.-   Rate of flower opening: About 12 days from bud stage to open flower.-   Flower longevity on plant: 2 to 4 weeks, depending upon ambient    temperatures.-   Total inflorescence size:    -   -   Height.—Approximately 5 to 12 cm, excluding peduncle.        -   Width.—Approximately 4.0 cm.-   Corolla:    -   -   Arrangement.—Pentagonal, fused.        -   Size.—Length: Approximately 1.7 cm. Width: Approximately 1.1            cm at widest point. Lobe Length: Approximately 0.7 cm. Lobe            width: Approximately 0.3 cm.        -   Petals.—Margin: Entire. Shape: Unfused section deltate.            Apex: Acute. Base: Fused, approximately 90 percent of            length. Texture: Glabrous.-   Color:    -   -   When opening.—Petal color, outer surface: Bottom ⅓ near            Greyed-Red 182D, mid section Orange-Red 32C, apex near            Yellow 12C. Slightly glaucous when immature, glaucous            coloration near Greyed-Purple N187C. Inner petals: Not            visible until fully opened.        -   Fully opened.—Outer surface: Bottom ⅓ near Red 39A, with            slightly glaucous coloration Greyed-Red 182D. Mid section            Orange-Red 32D, apex near Yellow 13B. Inner surface: Near            Yellow 13A, base Yellow-White 158D. Color Changes when            Aging: Outer surface turns near Greyed-Purple 185C. Inner            surface near Red 42C.-   Bud: (near opening):    -   -   Shape.—Conical.        -   Length.—Approximately 1.1 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.6 cm.        -   Color.—Near Red 51C, apex Greyed-Green 195D.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—Average range 18 to 25 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 0.7 cm.        -   Strength.—Moderately strong.        -   Texture.—Glabrous.        -   Color.—Lower section near Greyed-Green 195C, upper section            flushed Greyed-Red 182C.-   Pedicels:    -   -   Length.—Approxiinately 1.0 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 0.2 cm.        -   Strength.—Moderately strong and flexible.        -   Texture.—Glabrous.        -   Color.—Greyed-Orange N170C.-   Fragrance: None detected.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens: (Androecium).    -   -   Number.—Average 10.        -   Filament length.—Approximately 0.8 cm.        -   Filament color.—Near RHS Yellow 12B.        -   Anther length.—0.1 cm.        -   Anther color.—Near RHS Yellow 12A.        -   Anther shape.—Oblong.        -   Pollen color.—Near RHS Yellow 10D.        -   Pollen quantity.—Scant.-   Pistil: (Gynoecium).    -   -   Number.—Average 5.        -   Length.—Approximately 1.2 cm.        -   Style color.—Near Green 143B.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Linear. Color: Near Green 143A. Ovary Color:            Near RHS Yellow 6D.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Fruits and seeds: Scant to moderate quantity of seeds. Seeds dust    like, colored brown near RHS N200.-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerates temperatures from approximately    −2° C. to at least 38° C.-   Disease/pest resistance: Resistance to Fusarium echeveriae. Neither    resistance nor susceptibility to normal pests of Echeveria observed.-   Drought tolerance: Tolerates at least 3 weeks of high temperatures    without supplemental water, showing no serious damage to plant.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Echeveria plantnamed ‘ARCTIC ICE’ as herein illustrated and described.